Clifden RNLI recover 7 people cut off by the tide
Clifden D class Lifeboat Celia Mary was on exercise at Glassillaun Beach for the annual sports day event when it was alerted to a group of people cut off by the tide.
The inshore lifeboat proceeded to Illamore Island. On approaching the island they saw a woman, up to her chest in the water holding onto a child who was visibly in distress.
The child (6 years old) was immediately brought onboard the lifeboat followed by her mother. Both were wet, cold, frightened and extremely happy to finally be in safe hands. Both casualties were given survivors lifejackets and a crew member gave the child his warm helmet. Her mother had a jacket which she wrapped around her to keep the wind off.
The lifeboat crew spotted one more adult and four children stranded on top of some rocks. They were also cut off by the rising tide, but not in immediate danger.
The adult casualty aboard the lifeboat indicated that she was the mother of two of the children still on the rocks. The crew brought another child on board the lifeboat, placing a life jacket and helmet on her.
The lifeboat then proceeded to the beach where they collected the casualties belongings, leaving crew-member David O'Reilly with the 4 people who remained cut off by the tide.
The lifeboat crew dropped the casualties aboard the lifeboat to the safety of the shore, and returned to the others who remained cut off by the tide. These remaining casualties,1 adult and 3 children were placed in life jackets and brought to the main beach also.
The Lifeboat then recovered at Gurteen at 17:00 and made its way by road back to its base in Clifden, going back on service at 19:00
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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